Snowe blames Democrats for jobless totals

“Today’s unemployment numbers are a disappointing reminder of the anemic, if not stagnant economic growth that has resulted from this majority’s continued reluctance to focus like a laser on a pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda to put America’s hardworking families and entrepreneurs back to work” she said in prepared remarks. “Instead, their focus on job-killing tax increases and burdensome federal mandates have only perpetuated record unemployment rates, which are hovering at 9.5 percent or higher.” 

The Labor Department earlier today announced overall payroll employment fell by 95,000 in September, which included the loss of 77,000 temporary Census workers. Private-sector jobs increased by 64,000, but the jobless rate held steady at 9.6 percent. 

Snowe suggests today’s jobless figures illustrate the divide between Republicans and Democrats on how to inject job growth back into the economy. 

“Rather than insisting on job creation as ‘job one’ before adjourning, this majority refused to address both the looming tax hike upon the expiration of the tax rates enacted in 2001 and 2003 and the onerous reporting requirements that will force employers to file ‘1099’ statements on all transactions over $600,” Snowe said, adding, “I repeatedly called on committee leaders to act immediately to address these issues and warned that if we did not move quickly, small businesses would continue to be devastated by uncertainty and refrain from adding jobs.”

The Senate is expected to debate an extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts in the lame-duck. It is unclear if the 1099 rule will be addressed.